MEDICINAL PLANTS

The cathartic flax, herbaceous plant belonging to the family of the linac, is well known throughout the high and low Aragon. It is a plant so small that often goes unnoticed by people who frequent their breeding areas. Does not usually exceed a foot high and cast very thin and flimsy Tallit, sometimes lying down due to extreme fragility. The leaves are at odds, making it unmistakable when compared with other linens. It breeds in grassy slopes and fresh, not too thick forests, in wet meadows, and so on., Shared by almost the entire peninsula.

FLOWERING

It blooms from May to July, depending on where you are. Collection of interest for medicinal purposes throughout the plant, which should be collected before it blooms in order to obtain higher concentration in active ingredients. The flavor of the herb is too bitter to be able to consume directly, so that the plant will have to prepare to seize it. Anyway we must remember that the use of substances with laxative effect must be highly regulated, since they are not far from the ideal solution to the problem of constipation.

APPLICATIONS

In the composition of this herb are a significant number of linin, well known that tannin is mainly characterized by its bitter taste. It also has small amounts of resin and other compounds of pharmacological interest lower. The above linin appears that from the decomposition of an amorphous glycoside, which, after certain biochemical processes, becomes more sugars linin. The linin is the basis of their principal medical application. It has strong purgative action, little used in Spain except in the region of Aragon, where it appears that is used to combat cramping. It is a substance with very marked laxative effects, which should be taken into account when administering it as this type of medicine may be harmful to health, especially if consumed without medical supervision. Other actions attributed to him is that it favors the vomit, but this action is not yet well studied. This plant, being so small and insignificant, unnoticed by our ancestors and it was not until the sixteenth century when it began to be used.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Prepared from 5 g. Plant, previously dried and chopped, added about two cups of boiling water. The form is usually consume a cup before bed and another the next morning, fasting. The problem is that often causes vomiting, so patients should be monitored.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Linaceae
HABITAT: Cordillera of southern Aragon
FLOWERING: May, June and July
PART USED: Whole plant
CASTILIAN: Lino purgante
CATALAN: Llinet purgant

USES

Strong Laxative, Mild laxative, Emetic Leve.